the Newleyweds

Grandma returned last week with her son and new daughter-in-law. Although the wedding and festivities occurred in the bride's hometown off the island, there were some celebrations held next door a few days after their arrival. Being considered family, and being next door, there was no escaping the activity. Our living room became an overflow "dining room" for about 20 men, and all the cooking occured behind our house. We had front-row seats since our kitchen is screened-in like a florida-room. :)

Starting from the top left photo and moving clockwise:
creative island-style shade from the intense sun while grating/shaving up gobs of coconuts for the ladies' cooking; me and the ladies preparing napkins for guests; the couple, dressed up again for the occasion of the bride meeting the groom's village; friends observing a blessing ceremony from the window; a procession of family members and friends speaking words of blessing and sprinkling the couple with water and yellow rice (uncooked); gift-wrapping station in our kitchen; outdoor cooking station created in the space between our house, the neighbor's house and the well (a temporary shelter was set up that became a hangout for the ladies); friends stirring a big veggie dish.

Center photo: a close-up of greeting the bride and groom. Note the painted fingernails of both bride and groom. They use some sort of thick paste (henna-like?) that leaves the nails dyed when removed. It stays on until the fingernails grow out again.